Envy is not only a reprehensible trait, but is also a distressing feeling, which affects a person both emotionally and physically. A kind heart provides for life, while envy rots one’s bones. The harm of envy is confounded by the fact that it is so futile, because begrudging another person’s success gains one nothing.

The converse of envy is taking pleasure in another person’s progress, and being happy that he has the good things in life.  You can make an honest assessment of your own nature, by considering how you would react, if an acquaintance receives a major promotion at his job, if you were truly happy that he is now able to buy the latest sports model, while you drive an old banger.

Parents take pleasure in their children’s success, even when their children surpass them.  The reason for this is, that children are considered an extension of one’s self; their gain is also the gain of the parent.  Were we to love our neighbour as ourselves, we would rejoice in another’s happiness as if it were our own.  The more we indulge our physical selves, the more we distance ourselves from another; the more we care for each other, the more we can hope for harmony and co-operation, the sooner the world will be a better place to live in.